The Holy '''Archdiocese of Kenya''' is a [[diocese]] in eastern Africa under the jurisdiction of the Greek Orthodox [[Church of Alexandria|Patriarchate of Alexandria]] and All Africa.

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The Holy '''Archdiocese of Kenya''' is a [[diocese]] in eastern Africa under the [[jurisdiction]] of the Greek Orthodox [[Church of Alexandria|Patriarchate of Alexandria]] and All Africa. Prior to its formation in 2001, the [[archdiocese]] was part of the [[Archdiocese of Irinoupolis]].

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Today, the Orthodox community of Kenya is the most numerous on the African continent, and consists of about a million parishioners out of an overall population of 35 million in the country. The Kenyan Archdiocese of the Alexandrian Patriarchate has about 200 churches, dozens of church parochial schools and a [[Orthodox Patriarchal Ecclesiastical School of Makarios III|seminary in Riruta]].<ref>''[http://www.interfax-religion.com/?act=news&div=7181 Orthodox churches in Kenya are dedicated to Russian saints].'' Interfax-Religion. 21 April 2010, 12:32.</ref>

* George (Gathuna) of Nitria 1973 &mdash; 1979<ref>''[http://www.orthodoxresearchinstitute.org/hierarchs/alexandria/bios/bio_george_gathuna_bishop_nitria.html GEORGE (Gathuna), Bishop of Nitria].'' Orthodox Research Institute. Retrieved: 2013-04-19.</ref><ref group="note">On November 30th 1979 Bishop George (Arthur) Gathuna was defrocked, caused by what he called a problem of leadership and authority. However, the Patriarchate accused him of a lack of vision. Following his defrocking Bishop George (Arthur) Gathuna joined a schismatic group under a bishop in Greece that followed the old calendar (Metropolitan Cyprian of Oropos and Fili - [[Holy Synod in Resistance]]). Several other Orthodox Christians in Kenya followed him. On July 16, 1987, the defrocked Bishop George (Arthur) Gathuna reposed, and his burial was attended by Metropolitan Cyprianos from the Old Calendar Orthodox Church of Greece. Eventually however, the schism was healed, and on [[November 1]], 2006, Bishop George (Arthur) Gathuna of Nitria (first Bishop of Kenya and the first Kenyan Missionary to the people of Bunyore) was reinstated posthumously by Patriarch [[Theodoros II (Choreftakis) of Alexandria|Theodoros II]] and the Holy Synod of the Patriarchate of Alexandria.</ref>

* [[Makarios (Tillyrides) of Kenya]]. ''[http://www.orthodoxresearchinstitute.org/articles/church_history/makarios_tillyrides_east_africa.htm The Origin of Orthodoxy in East Africa].'' '''Orthodox Research Institute.'''

* [[Makarios (Tillyrides) of Kenya]]. ''[http://www.orthodoxresearchinstitute.org/articles/church_history/makarios_tillyrides_east_africa.htm The Origin of Orthodoxy in East Africa].'' '''Orthodox Research Institute.'''

:<small>"Orthodox Christianity came to the Banyore people of western Kenya in 1942...I shall examine the relation between Orthodox Christianity and Banyore culture, and show how Orthodox Christianity, in dialogue with the Banyore people, became indigenised in Bunyore culture. Thus Orthodox Christians in Bunyore do not see Orthodoxy as something foreign, but as something that has become part of their own culture."</small>

Today, the Orthodox community of Kenya is the most numerous on the African continent, and consists of about a million parishioners out of an overall population of 35 million in the country. The Kenyan Archdiocese of the Alexandrian Patriarchate has about 200 churches, dozens of church parochial schools and a seminary in Riruta.[1]

See also

Notes

↑On November 30th 1979 Bishop George (Arthur) Gathuna was defrocked, caused by what he called a problem of leadership and authority. However, the Patriarchate accused him of a lack of vision. Following his defrocking Bishop George (Arthur) Gathuna joined a schismatic group under a bishop in Greece that followed the old calendar (Metropolitan Cyprian of Oropos and Fili - Holy Synod in Resistance). Several other Orthodox Christians in Kenya followed him. On July 16, 1987, the defrocked Bishop George (Arthur) Gathuna reposed, and his burial was attended by Metropolitan Cyprianos from the Old Calendar Orthodox Church of Greece. Eventually however, the schism was healed, and on November 1, 2006, Bishop George (Arthur) Gathuna of Nitria (first Bishop of Kenya and the first Kenyan Missionary to the people of Bunyore) was reinstated posthumously by Patriarch Theodoros II and the Holy Synod of the Patriarchate of Alexandria.

"Orthodox Christianity came to the Banyore people of western Kenya in 1942...I shall examine the relation between Orthodox Christianity and Banyore culture, and show how Orthodox Christianity, in dialogue with the Banyore people, became indigenised in Bunyore culture. Thus Orthodox Christians in Bunyore do not see Orthodoxy as something foreign, but as something that has become part of their own culture."